Church Renews Commitment to Migrant Ministry in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Vijayawada, June 27, 2026: The Catholic Church in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has reaffirmed its commitment to accompanying and supporting migrants through pastoral care, advocacy and social outreach during a regional meeting of the Commission for Migrants held at the YESJ Conference Centre in Vijayawada on June 26–27.

The two-day gathering, jointly organised by the CCBI Commission for Migrants and the TCBC Commission for Migrants, brought together Church leaders, pastoral workers and migration experts to discuss emerging challenges faced by migrant communities and to strengthen coordinated responses across the region.

Inaugurating the meeting, Bishop T. Joseph Raja Rao of Vijayawada highlighted the increasing presence of migrant workers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, estimating that between four and five lakh migrants are employed in sectors such as construction, agriculture and infrastructure development. Referring to the rapid development of Amaravati as the state capital, he pointed to issues including displacement, inadequate housing and educational difficulties affecting migrant families. The Church, he said, must continue to stand alongside migrants, safeguard their dignity and serve as their voice.

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Fr. Jaison Vadassery, Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants, described the meeting as part of the Commission’s national pastoral strategy for migrant ministry. He urged dioceses across the region to appoint dedicated coordinators to implement migrant ministry based on the four pastoral principles of welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants.

The meeting featured a series of sessions addressing pastoral care, migration realities, legal rights and human trafficking. Fr. Amarlapudi Vinod shared his pastoral experiences among vulnerable communities, while Fr. Mariano, a Scalabrinian missionary, reflected on the biblical and theological dimensions of migration.

Fr. P. Vijay, Regional Secretary of the Commission for Migrants, emphasised that the Church's response must extend beyond charitable assistance to include advocacy for migrants' rights and efforts to promote social justice and human dignity.

Advocate Fr. B. Sleeva Raju provided participants with an overview of labour laws and legal safeguards available to migrant workers, including provisions related to minimum wages, education, legal aid and mental health support. He also highlighted the services offered by the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) for overseas migrants, including emergency assistance, insurance coverage, legal support and pre-departure orientation programmes.

Sessions on human trafficking and bonded labour were led by Adv. Sr. Rani Punnaseril HCM, while Sr. Anushia Fernandez presented the Delhi model of migrant ministry as a best-practice example. Fr. Francis Bosco of Don Bosco for Migrants stressed the importance of creating awareness among children, families and communities about the risks of human trafficking.

The meeting concluded with participants committing themselves to strengthening capacity-building initiatives, advocacy efforts, networking and collaboration in migrant ministry across the region.

During the concluding Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Joseph Raja Rao reminded participants that prayer and trust in God must remain at the heart of all efforts to accompany and serve migrants, especially those living in vulnerable situations.

By Catholic Connect Reporter